Ghost Shrimp 101

[Crazykat]

But the larger they are, the sooner they die! Lol, it's a catch twenty-two! My reasoning when I got them was that if my betta tried to eat them at least he wouldn't choke to death. It seems harsh, but there you go. My guess is it depends on your betta. I've got little ones in with my boy and the only time they even notice each other is during feeding time when the shrimp come up to the top to try to steal the betta's food.

[shinybetta]

It is fun to watch small ones grow up as well

[fishman12]

So which is better: pellets or algae wafers?

[shinybetta]

Pellets! Ghost shrimp are primarily carnivorous. Algea makes up only a small part of their diet.

[Sweeda88]

Do I HAVE to have live plants to keep them? I want to put some in my 3 gallon because Glitter spits out a lot of his food, and they would love that. I've heard conflicting things about whether or not they need live plants.

[fishman12]

Also, do they need a bubler? I do have 3 live plants. Will they eat dead parts of a live plant?

[Crazykat]

They don't need live plants or a bubbler. I've never seen mine eat plants. Maybe if they were starving to death? They're really more carnivorous than anything. Just pinch off the dead parts of your plants. It's easier. :)

[scootshoot]

Originally Posted by fishman12

Ok. Can they climb up the side of the tank? And do they eat the fish's feces?

Yes they climb up the glass. Some of mine even try to hang upside down to get food on the surface during feeding time.

You don't have to worry bout them climbing out of the tank. Their legs are so skinny and cannot support their body mass outside of water. Noticed this right away when a ghost shrimp jumped out of the net of a petsmart employee. He was just a crumpled mess and couldn't move. Once the employee plopped him back in the tank he was fine again.

[scootshoot]

Originally Posted by Crazykat

But the larger they are, the sooner they die! Lol, it's a catch twenty-two! My reasoning when I got them was that if my betta tried to eat them at least he wouldn't choke to death. It seems harsh, but there you go. My guess is it depends on your betta. I've got little ones in with my boy and the only time they even notice each other is during feeding time when the shrimp come up to the top to try to steal the betta's food.

Correct. I read a ghost shrimp article stating these creatures only have a lifespan of 1.5 years average so get the smallest ones if you plan on keeping them awhile.

[fishman12]

This sounds really mean!!!! I think 1.5 years is just about perfect cuz I'm moving (across the country) in about 1.5 years... Like I said, really mean